Judging others

Joseph Rudmann (“Spokane too liberal,” Feb. 21) inspired me to respond. Matthew 7:1-3 KJV says “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” It says this not to excuse any point of view but to admonish us to judge ourselves rather than others. This has caused me to have the view that my right to my points of view requires me to listen and try to understand the points of view of others.

Life is better when we agree to disagree after listening to each other and do not come to agree. If we place our position as Americans and Spokanites above our identification of who fits our tribe, we are more likely to be heard and less likely to be anxious. We started out as 13 individual nation states (the Articles of Confederation) and shortly decided that it would be better if we became one nation called the USA. Dividing our nation up into the many pockets of conservatism and liberalism has shown itself as unworkable.

“United we stand, divided we fall” as said in the patriotic “Liberty Song” of 1786.

Allan deLaubenfels

Spokane Valley